HYUNDAI WINS AT DAYTONA FOR THE FIRST TIME IN IMSA TCR HISTORY

• Hyundai and Bryan Herta Autosport claim 1-2 finish in the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge (IMPC) season opener
• Hyundai leads the IMPC Championship after a command performance that included taking the pole position and a double-podium finish
• Hyundai Hope on Wheels raises $10,500 for charity thanks to Hyundai's dominance, leading 105 of 109 laps at Daytona

FOUNTAIN VALLEY, Calif., Jan 27, 2025 – Hyundai Motor America and Bryan Herta Autosport (BHA) soared in the first race of the 2025 IMSA Michelin Pilot Challenge, taking home first and second place at the legendary Daytona International Speedway. BHA’s No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown, and the No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, driven by Mark Wilkins and Bryson Morris, crossed the finish line within a fraction of a second of one another in a thrilling race to the checkered flag.

The No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR and No. 33 Hyundai Elantra N TCR photographed crossing the finish line during the BMW M Endurance Challenge at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/Richard Prince Photography)

Hyundai started strong with the No. 33 on the pole position and the No. 98, driven by Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker, sitting in the second row. Hyundai controlled the front of the field for most of the race. The lead was swapped between the No. 33 and No. 99 driven entry of Eric Powell and Tyler Gonzalez for Victor Gonzalez Racing.

The Hyundai N TCR field saw impressive movement throughout the four-hour race. The No. 9 Hyundai N TCR, driven by Madison Aust and Suellio Almeida for BHA, moved up two positions to finish fourth in their debut event after a drive-through penalty set them back early in the race. A strong run for the No. 18, piloted by Lance Bergstein and Jon Miller, brought home a sixth-place finish for Victor Gonzalez Racing.

Rounding out the rest of the Hyundai N TCR field, Mason Filippi and Harry Gottsacker in the No. 98 finished in eighth after an incident at the beginning of the race set them back several spots. The No. 72 driven by Riley Pegram and Larry Pegram was moving up through the field and battling for fifth position before an incident with the No. 31 Audi and No. 55 Cupra sidelined the team for the rest of the race.

Hyundai and BHA have etched their name in motorsport history, claiming their first victory at Daytona in a thrilling finish. This achievement not only marks a significant milestone for both organizations, it also echoes their exceptional performances from 2024, with a repeat pole position and a double-podium finish.

• Top-Finishing Hyundai: First place for the No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR, piloted by Denis Dupont and Preston Brown.
• Top-Qualifying Hyundai: Pole Position for the No. 33 Bryan Herta Autosport Hyundai Elantra N TCR driven by Bryson Morris and Mark Wilkins.

The No. 76 Hyundai Elantra N TCR drivers Denis Dupont and Preston Brown are photographed during the podium celebrations at Daytona International Speedway in Daytona Beach, Fla., Jan. 24, 2025. (Photo/Bryan Herta Autosport/Richard Prince Photography)